Adaptive Recreation Staff

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Andy Fernandez - Adaptive & Senior/Adult Recreation Services Manager

Andy (he/him) originated from the mid-west and has worked with people with disabilities since 1998 in places like Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada. Andy is an avid cyclist and coffee drinker. He has also been known to be an amateur chef, part-time coach, adjunct professor, novice raft guide, former soccer player, mediocre snowboarder, frustrated fisherman, tireless husband, sleepless father of three, frequent traveler and bad joke teller. Email Andy

Carly Schmidt

Carly Schmidt - Senior Program Supervisor

Carly (she/her) is originally from the Chicago area and has remained a Chicago sports fan despite calling herself an Oregonian now. A graduate from the University of New Hampshire in Recreation Management and Policy with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation, Carly moved to Oregon in 2008 to enjoy recreation endeavors and to help provide the same opportunity for people with disabilities. Whether she is running, biking, swimming, hiking, surfing, backpacking, or skiing, you can find Carly exploring in the outdoors and encouraging others to do the same! Email Carly

Kellie Nemke

Kellie Nemke - Programmer

Kellie (she/her) has been working in the field of therapeutic recreation and experiential education for over 25 years, primarily in community-based programming. She’s been a City employee since 1999, when she started as a temporary employee at Adaptive! Outside of work, Kellie loves to be in nature pursuing outdoor adventures with her dogs like hiking, backpacking, rafting and surfing. She also teaches soap making at the UO, plays the marimba and the cello, enjoys African dance, and raises goats and chickens and grows much of her food in the garden on her urban homestead. Kellie is also a local property manager where she creates functional and beautiful living spaces for people in minority and marginalized groups. Email Kellie

Colleen Wilson

Colleen Wilson - Programmer

Colleen (she/her) is a proud Clemson Tiger that fell in love with the Pacific Northwest! She moved to Oregon from South Carolina in 2016 following her passion for recreation therapy. Previously, she has worked as a recreation therapist for Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Centers, and Adaptive Recreation organizations. Her belief in balanced wellness has led to a passion for teaching others about stress management techniques such as tai chi and qigong. In her free time, she loves to go camping or on hikes with her fiancé and cats, swim, ride bikes, archery, crafting, and making homemade aromatherapy natural scrubs and soaps. Email Colleen

Carly

Carly Kalstad - Programmer, AIC

Carly (she/her) moved to Eugene in 2006 from the sunny town of Bend where she has been working and playing with her amazing family. She was born and raised in Northern Georgia, moved to upstate New York where she attended Paul Smiths College and received a degree in Outdoor Recreation. Carly LOVE’S working within the recreation field as well as participating in any recreational opportunities. Email Carly

Ash Connell-Gonzalez Office Coordinator

Ash Connell-Gonzalez - Office Coordinator

Ash (they/them) worked the front desk at Amazon Pool all summer, and has extensive experience in customer service and organizational administration. Ash moved from San Antonio Texas to Eugene with their spouse to attend grad school so they could write about comics and robots. You can find them some nights playing Dungeons and Dragons in a room full of too many plants and three clingy tabby cats. They're currently teaching a History of Film class at UO and trying to get back into skating. Email Ash